Looking to Buy a NEW CONSTRUCTION Home? Here's Why You Need a REALTOR!

When you are beginning your house hunting, the want, desire and allure of new construction is hard to resist. You get to be the first to live in the brand new home - one untouched by others. It's full of brand-new appliances and all of your very own personal choices fitting to your own style. You won't need to worry about making any cosmetic upgrades for a very long time.

If you are interested in buying a new construction, the builder's sales representative will be ready to help you with the process. Make no mistake! You need your own real estate agent! Even if it seems super easy to just sign up with the builder's on-site agent, you are going to want someone representing your side of the deal!

What is a builder's agent?

When you buy a new construction home, the home's builder is considered the seller, and the sales representative represents the builder and is called the builder's agent. The builder's agent will always have the builder's best interest in mind. After all, the job of the builder's agent is to get the best and highest price for the homes the builder is selling, so the agent will not be as eager to negotiate the price down.

Why should you hire your own real estate agent?

It's a good idea to have your real estate agent with you on your first visit to the new construction development. Why? Because the builder (which is the seller) will be responsible for paying the commission to your real estate agent, and the builder needs to know if you'll have a real estate agent representing you upon your first visit to their development. So bringing your real estate agent to the very first visit will make it clear that the builder/builder's agent will be on the hook for paying that commission. Some builders might even refuse to pay your real estate agent commission if you don't register the real estate agent the first time you visit the home on a new construction site.

Your real estate agent's job is to help you get the most value for your money, with negotiating on your behalf and getting you the best deal. When buying new construction, here's what your real estate agent will help you with that you might miss out on if you choose to buy directly from the builder's agent:

Negotiating extras: Want upgraded counter tops or appliances in your brand new home? Your agent can help you with all those extra perks, amenities and upgrades. A real estate agent can often negotiate with the builder on things like custom paint colors, your preferred style of cabinetry or even the style of garage door you might prefer.

Recommending financing: A builder typically will have a "preferred" lender they will try to steer you to, but your real estate agent can help make sure you get a mortgage that works best for your situation. Shopping around is always wise, and you don't want the builder's agent pressuring you into using their suggested professional unless it's right for you and fits your needs.

Overseeing a home inspection: Are you thinking of skipping a home inspection on your newly constructed home? Don't do it!! Sadly, there can be many and some also severe new home defects which can cause issues when it's time to sell the home in the future. The builder's agent is unlikely to suggest an inspection after the home is completed so it's up to you and your real estate agent to set up an inspection.

How the builder's agent can help you: With all of this said, the builder's agent can be a valuable resource for learning about your potential new home. Find an agent that has experience with working for new home builders and one that's knowledgeable with the housing development and the community, in general in which you're interested. You can rely on the builder's sales representative for information but just don't make them your sole point of contact in the buying process.

When buying a new construction home or a pre-owned home, everyone wants peace of mind, since home buying is one of the biggest decisions a person will ever make. Buying a home is HUGE!! So you should have a real estate agent in your corner to help facilitate that all your needs are met, 100%!!